§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the recipients of the training support grants allocated for the training of residential social workers undertaking NVQ level 3 completed the course in each of the last two years; what was the average time taken to complete the course; and what steps are being taken to ensure that NVQ assessors are available. [46999]
§ Mr. BoatengThe sub-programme of the training support programme to train residential social care staff to National Vocational Qualification level 3 began in 1998–99. It is the responsibility of the assessment centres approved by awarding bodies for National Vocational Qualifications and employers to ensure the availability of assessors for the National Vocational Qualifications in care.